Fears Nachawati, Chicago-based Edelson PC and Dallas-based Carter Law Group are filing two federal class-action lawsuits on behalf of ADT Security Services customers whose privacy was breached by a company employee who had access to streaming video from customers’ security cameras.
The home security company marketed in-home camera systems as a way for parents to check in on their children and pets. However, it failed to provide even rudimentary safeguards, such as two-factor authentication or text alerts when a customer’s account was accessed. This allowed a Dallas-area technician to eavesdrop on more than 200 households over a period of seven years. By adding his personal email address to these accounts, he was able to log into and watch what were supposed to be private video streams. Customers were notified of what happened by ADT.
“These customers trusted ADT with their safety and privacy,” said Fears Nachawati partner Matthew McCarley. “This privacy breach occurred because ADT did not follow the most basic security procedures. These lawsuits were filed to ensure this company does everything possible to make their systems safe and deserving of the trust their clients place in them.”
One lawsuit was filed on behalf of ADT customers, and the other on behalf of minors and others living inside the homes. The lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits was a teenage girl during the time that the breach occurred. ADT informed her family that the technician spied on them nearly 100 times, according to the lawsuit.
If you are a current or past ADT customer and believe that your in-home cameras may have been accessed without your permission, call us at (866) 705-7584. We can help.